First Lady Jill Biden is set to take center stage on the opening day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), in a bid to honor and uphold the legacy of her husband, President Joe Biden.
This comes despite her previously expressed disappointment with those who urged the President to bow out of the 2024 race.
The DNC, scheduled to take place from August 19 to 22 in Chicago, is expected to deviate significantly from its original blueprint, which was conceived when President Biden was still in the running for re-election, as reported by The Independent. The White House has confirmed that both the President and the first lady will be in attendance, with the President delivering the keynote address on the inaugural night. First Lady Jill Biden is also slated to address the convention on Monday night.
NBC News reports that the first lady's speech will pay tribute to her husband's five-decade-long public service legacy. Her presence at the event, which will celebrate the new Democratic party nominees - Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz - is noteworthy. This is especially so in light of allegations that she has privately expressed dissatisfaction with certain Democrats who failed to publicly back President Biden's re-election bid.
Elizabeth Alexander, the first lady's communications director, told NBC News, "She's tough and of course defends her family when she needs to. Always has, always will." This statement came in the wake of mounting pressure on Biden to withdraw from the race, following his less than stellar debate performance on June 27. Politico reported that Jill and Hunter Biden, the President's son, were among the most vocal advocates for the President to remain in the race.
Publicly, the first lady remained steadfast in her support for her husband, declaring her full commitment to his re-election campaign during a speech on July 8. "For all the talk out there about this race, Joe has made it clear that he's all in," she told the North Carolina crowd. "That's the decision that he's made, and just as he has always supported my career, I am all in too."
Following President Biden's decision to step down and endorse Harris for President, the first lady shared a handwritten note, expressing her gratitude to those who remained unwavering in their support for Biden. "To those who never wavered, to those who refused to doubt, to those who always believed, my heart is full of gratitude. Thank you for the trust you put in Joe now it's time to put that trust in Kamala. Love, Jill."
The first couple's visit to Chicago will be brief, limited to Monday only, to avoid overshadowing the new Democratic ticket. This explanation for the Bidens' early departure contrasts with a report by Politico earlier this week, which suggested that President Biden would not stay for Barack Obama's Tuesday speech due to alleged "resentment" towards the former President. Obama, while not publicly supporting calls for his former Vice President to step down, reportedly expressed private concerns about Biden's ability to defeat Donald Trump in the November elections.
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